Analytics
Plausible vs Fathom
They're close enough that either will do. Plausible is open source and self-hostable, which matters if you want to run it yourself or audit the code. Fathom's paid plan covers unlimited sites from the first tier, which is better value if you run several.
- No affiliate links
- Public pricing only
- Updated by hand
Add your website — see your ranked plan in about a minute, free.
PREVIEW FREE — NO CARD7-DAY TRIAL — CARD TO START
Plausible or Fathom Analytics — which should you use?
They're close enough that either will do. Plausible is open source and self-hostable, which matters if you want to run it yourself or audit the code. Fathom's paid plan covers unlimited sites from the first tier, which is better value if you run several. Plausible starts at From around $9/month at 10k monthly pageviews (free tier: 30-day trial; self-hosted community edition is free.); Fathom Analytics starts at From around $15/month (free tier: 30-day trial.). Prices are list prices and change, so check the vendor pages before buying.
Last updated 3 August 2026
Both replaced Google Analytics for the same crowd: small teams who wanted one readable page, no cookie banner and no data going to an ad company. The dashboards look so similar that screenshots get mixed up.
So the decision comes down to licensing, where the data is processed, and how the pricing steps up as you grow.
Side by side
Plausible and Fathom Analytics in short.
Plausible
Open-source, cookieless analytics, hosted in the EU or self-hosted.
- Free
- 30-day trial; self-hosted community edition is free.
- Paid from
- From around $9/month at 10k monthly pageviews
Good at
- Open source — you can read the code or run it on your own server
- EU-hosted infrastructure by default
- Goals, funnels and custom events on paid tiers
Weak at
- Site limits on lower tiers
- Self-hosting is real work: a database, updates, backups
Fathom Analytics
Cookieless analytics with EU isolation for European visitors and unlimited sites on every plan.
- Free
- 30-day trial.
- Paid from
- From around $15/month
Good at
- Unlimited websites and unlimited team members from the entry plan
- EU Isolation routes European visitors' data through EU-owned infrastructure
- Bypasses ad blockers via a custom domain proxy, so counts are closer to reality
Weak at
- Closed source, no self-hosting
- Slightly higher entry price
The differences
Where they actually diverge.
| Feature | Plausible | Fathom Analytics |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Self-hosting | Yes | No |
| Sites on entry plan | Limited | Unlimited |
| Entry price | ~$9/month | ~$15/month |
| Ad-blocker workaround | Custom domain proxy available | Custom domain proxy included |
Pick one
Which one fits you.
Choose Plausible if
- You want the option to self-host or audit the code
- You have one main site
- EU hosting is a requirement you have to document
Choose Fathom Analytics if
- You run several sites or client sites
- You want unlimited team seats without a tier jump
- You'd rather never think about hosting
When neither is the answer
If you need funnels by user, retention cohorts or session replay, both are the wrong shape. PostHog covers that ground and has a large free tier.
Questions
Common questions.
Do either of them need a cookie banner?
Neither sets cookies or stores personal data, and both publish guidance saying consent isn't required for their tracking. Any other script on your page might still need one.
Can I import my Google Analytics history?
Plausible can import from Google Analytics so your history appears in the dashboard. Fathom starts fresh. Either way, export your GA data before you stop using it.
Prices are list prices published by each vendor and change often — check the linked pricing pages before you buy. We take no affiliate commission and nobody pays to appear here.
Related elsewhere on gtm.help
Best affiliate tracking tools
Six tools, honest pricing, and how much manual payout work each one saves you.
AnswerHow do I measure marketing ROI?
Marketing ROI = (revenue attributed to marketing minus marketing cost) divided by marketing cost, usually expressed as…
PlaybookHow to launch a referral programme
Most referral programmes fail from bad timing, not a bad incentive. Ask at the moment of delight, not from a generic da…
Free toolX Ad Tracking Link Generator
Build a UTM link that pairs X Ads with your landing page
Elsewhere on gtm.help
Keep exploring.
Free marketing tools
Calculators and generators that run without a signup.
BrowseGrowth playbooks
Step-by-step plans by industry and goal.
BrowseTool guides
What to use, what it costs, when it earns its keep.
BrowseMarketing checklists
Task lists by business type and competitive situation.
BrowseStraight answers
The growth questions founders ask, answered with numbers.
Browsegtm.help
Skip the tool research. Get the plan first.
Paste your website and gtm.help reads it, then writes a ranked growth plan for your business — with the tools each task needs, what they cost, and what to do first. Seven days free.
Add your website and judge it on your own plan.